Category: Sunday Road

Sunday Road Tours (Local) | September 24 09:00

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So you want to ride some hills but without added travel of a remote start? Then come and join me on my annual pilgrimage up the escarpment! Some local favourites on the menu include a decent down the Col du Watson, up the mettle-testing Rattlesnake, and an ascend up 6th Line for the second main.

Unfortunately the menu is solely metaphorical, as there will be no cafe along the route. Word has it there is a vending machine at the entrance to the park atop the escarpment if you’re down bad, but otherwise you are encouraged to bring your own nutrition/caffeine.

Bringing lights wouldn’t hurt either, especially for the short jaunt along Derry Road which can sometimes be busy.

Load the route on your bike computer if you have one, here’s how.

Speed will be between 29-31 kph average

GCC members only. To become a member join HERE

Advance sign-up required. Reserve your spot by clicking HERE

Start Time: please be ready to pedal at 9:00 AM

Start Location: East End Library at Starwood and Watson

Check here for weather cancellation posted no less than one hour before the ride begins

Route: The Tour Medium Distance Ride will be following the map below

Route: The Grand Tour Longer Distance Ride will be following the map below

Sunday Road Tours CREEMORE | Sept 24 7:30AM

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Who wants to ride some hills?!?

This Sunday I propose we head to Creemore and climb some of the most beautiful roads in the region (not to mention some fun decents). We will begin and end our route in Creemore, at the Creemore Springs Brewery. Also in Creemore are YF Patissier and Bank Cafe for pre ride coffee and treats, and The Old Mill House pub if you’re feeling peckish after the ride.

As is usual for GCC remote starts, carpooling will be arranged. Once you have signed up, please contact me, Christopher Lambert, at clsomatherapy@yahoo.ca to let me know if you can drive, and if so, if you can take other riders and bikes, or if you need a ride. We will all meet at the East Side Library between 7:00 and 7:30AM to organize cars and riders. As there are no longer any country stores in Horning Mills or Badjeros, sad I know, I will be putting together a cooler with water for refills and some extra food, which will be placed at the top of the climb in Horning Mills for refuelling. If you have snacks you would like added to this please hand them to me at the library before we leave. Drive time to Creemore is approximately an hour and a half. We will aim to start riding from Creemore at 9:30AM.

Bring money for a coffee before and a beer after, and tail lights are a good idea.

By the way, the gravel sections at 64k and 89k aren’t actually gravel.

Load the route on your bike computer if you have one, here’s how.

Speed will be between 29-31 kph average

GCC members only. To become a member join HERE

Advance sign-up required. Reserve your spot by clicking HERE

Start Time: please be at the Library by 7:30 and ready to pedal at 9:30 AM

Start Location: East End Library at Starwood and Watson

Check here for weather cancellation posted no less than one hour before the ride begins

Route: The Grand Tour Ride will be following the map below

Sunday Road Tours | Sept 10 8:00AM

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The weather is looking pretty good for Sunday morning; 16c at 8:00AM SO THAT WILL BE THE START TIME. This week we are going north to Lake Belwood and then south. The Tour will split off at Dublin Line & Hwy 7 where they can refuel at MacMillan’s Maket – on the south side just west of Dublin. They continue south and make their way home via 15th sideroad. The Grand Tour will have a coffee stop in Campbellville before heading back home.

Bring money for a coffee stop, some extra snacks, and tail lights are a good idea.

Load the route on your bike computer if you have one, here’s how.

Speed will be between 29-31 kph average

GCC members only. To become a member join HERE

Advance sign-up required. Reserve your spot by clicking HERE

Start Time: please be ready to pedal at 8:00 AM

Start Location: East End Library at Starwood and Watson

Check here for weather cancellation posted no less than one hour before the ride begins

Route: The Tour Medium Distance Ride will be following the map below

Route: The Grand Tour Longer Distance Ride will be following the map below

Sunday Road Tours | Sept 3 9:00AM

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Looks like we will be heading back into some summer weather for the long weekend. Great news for those heading out of town for one last hurrah before school starts again. That being said, it’s also fine weather for us that are staying in town and the roads should be quieter too! To celebrate let’s head out and get some Ayr. Start and finish will be from our fabulous sponsor Fixed Gear on Alma street (pardon the gravel ride start image below, it’s the only version I could find). And what better way to finish a hot ride then with a beer!

Depending on turn-out, we may need to combine groups. Bring money for a coffee stop and tail lights are a good idea.

Load the route on your bike computer if you have one, here’s how.

Speed will be between 29-31 kph average

GCC members only. To become a member join HERE

Advance sign-up required. Reserve your spot by clicking HERE

Start Time: please be ready to pedal at 9:00 AM

Start Location: Fixed Gear Brewery on Alma

Check here for weather cancellation posted no less than one hour before the ride begins

Route: The Tour Medium Distance Ride will be following the map below

Route: The Grand Tour Longer Distance Ride will be following the map below

Sunday Road Tours | August 27 9:00 AM

The Road Tours this weekend head East towards Georgetown with a little bit of climbing for both the Tour and the Grand Tour groups. With a slightly later start at this time of year (cold mornings!) there is no cafe stop for the Tour group to get you home in time for lunch, while the Grand Tour group has a couple of options in Glen Williams.

Especial thanks to road captains Christopher Lambert (Tour) and Mark Ferguson (Grand Tour)!

Speed will be between 29-31 kph average

GCC members only. To become a member join HERE

Advance sign-up required. Reserve your spot by clicking HERE

Start Time: please be ready to pedal at 9:00 AM

Start Location: East End Library at Starwood and Watson

Check here for weather cancellation posted no less than one hour before the ride begins

The Tour Medium Distance Ride will be following the route below

The Grand Tour Longer Distance Ride will be following the route below

SUPER SUNDAY | August 13th, 2023

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GCC’s second ever Super Sunday! Another club event where all members can participate in their desired speed group in gravel or road riding, starting and finishing at the same place for everyone with a post-ride gathering! Come one, come all… come out and join the fun!

The event starts and finishes at our club sponsor ‘Fixed Gear Brewing’ on Alma Street.

There are two start times, 8:00AM & 9:00AM depending on your group, NB.

Ride Leaders for each group will be (or already have) posted route maps, see below.

The club is footing the bill for pizza and one beer per club rider. Non alcoholic bevies will also be available.

Load your route on your bike computer if you have one, here’s how.

The SUPER SUNDAY Rides Groups are:

Ride GroupDistanceGroup NamePedal Time
R1 & R2100+KRoad – Hammerfest8:00 AM
R3 & R4100+KRoad – Very Fast8:00 AM
R585KRoad – Fast9:00 AM
R6 & R780KRoad – Moderate9:00 AM
R865KRoad – Relaxed9:00 AM
G190KGravel – Advanced8:00 AM
G290KGravel – Intermediate8:00 AM
G383KGravel – Relaxed8:00 AM

GCC members only. To become a member join HERE

Advance sign-up required. Reserve your spot by clicking HERE

Start Time: please be ready to pedal at 8:00 AM or 9:00 AM depending on your ride

Start : Fixed Gear Brewing on Alma Street

Check here for weather cancellation posted no less than one hour before the ride begins

R1 & R2 Route

R3 & R4 Route

R5 Route

R6 & R7 Route

R8 Route

G1 & G2 Route

G3 Route

Sunday Road Tours | August 06 8:00AM

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This week we will head east with a coffee stop for the Tour in Glen Williams at Kits Little Kitchen; the Grand Tour will split off here and continue on to The Forks of the Credit with a stop in either Belfountain or Erin, depending on how the group feels. Bring money for the coffee stop and tail lights are a good idea.

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Load the route on your bike computer if you have one, here’s how.

Speed will be between 29-31 kph average

GCC members only. To become a member join HERE

Advance sign-up required. Reserve your spot by clicking HERE

Start Time: please be ready to pedal at 8:00 AM

Start Location: East End Library at Starwood and Watson

Check here for weather cancellation posted no less than one hour before the ride begins

Route: The Tour Medium Distance Ride will be following the map below

Route: The Grand Tour Longer Distance Ride will be following the map below

Sunday Road Tours | July 23 8 AM

All my scheduled ride leads have been rained out this year so I’ve yet to wear my fancy new red jersey but Sunday’s looking pretty good, at least for now. If the weather turns dodgy, I’ll make a call by 7 a.m. but let’s stay optimistic.

This route reverses one of my favourites through Rockwood and Everton and I’m excited to be descending into Everton instead of making the infernal climb out of it. Those interested in a shorter route can head home at any point along the pass over the north part of the city or when we make the stop in Maryhill at about 80km. There is a little section of gravel down to Mosborough but we’ll manage.

Bring money for a coffee stop and tail lights are a good idea. Load the route on your bike computer if you have one, here’s how.

Speed will be between 29-31 kph average

GCC members only. To become a member join HERE

Advance sign-up required. Reserve your spot by clicking HERE

Start Time: please be ready to pedal at 8:00 AM

Start Location: East End Library at Starwood and Watson

Check here for weather cancellation posted no less than one hour before the ride begins

Route: The Tour Medium Distance Ride will be following the map below

Route: The Grand Tour Longer Distance Ride will be following the map below

Sunday Road Tours | July 09 8:00AM

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This weekend’s road tours will take us north thru Fergus and Elora where we will stop for a short coffee break. The groups will split in Maryhill – the tour will head home and the grand tour will continue south thru Hespeler. The weatherman doesn’t seem to have a lot of foresight these day; there might be a short bit of rain but its warm enough. If it’s looking like there will be lightning or a downpour, the call will be made at 7:00AM. Tail lights are a good idea.

Load the route on your bike computer if you have one, here’s how.

Speed will be between 29-31 kph average

GCC members only. To become a member join HERE

Advance sign-up required. Reserve your spot by clicking HERE

Start Time: please be ready to pedal at 8:00 AM

Start Location: East End Library at Starwood and Watson

Check here for weather cancellation posted no less than one hour before the ride begins

Route: The Tour Medium Distance Ride will be following the map below

Route: The Grand Tour Longer Distance Ride will be following the map below

Sunday Tour de Guelph Road Ride | June 25th 7:30AM

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We are supporting the Tour de Guelph’s Hospital Fundraiser by signing up, paying our money (fund raise and donate more if you can) and riding our bikes. There will be no other club rides this day.

The TdG has several routes to choose from. Some are good for getting your family and friends out on their bikes. Choose what you like. We have selected the 100 km route to ride together as a club in several speed groups.

There are rest stops (we probably won’t stop at them all).

Visit GCC’s Tour de Guelph page on how to sign up. And have you heard? Tail lights are a good idea.

Arrive early enough to get your arm band from registration – 7:10 ish.

There are four Speed Groups to choose from (not mandatory).  Groups may be combined as needed upon rider numbers.

GCC members only. To become a member join HERE

Advance sign-up required. Reserve your spot by clicking HERE

Start Time: please be ready to pedal at 7:30 AM – Get your Arm Bands at 7:10ish in the Athletic Centre

Start Location: Athletic Centre University of Guelph

Start is in front of the University of Guelph’s W.F. Mitchell Athletic Centre

Check here for weather cancellation posted no less than one hour before the ride begins

Route: The Sunday GCC Tour de Guelph Ride will be following the map below.

Sunday Road Tours | June 18, 8:00am

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Why can’t a bicycle stand up on its own? Because its two tired!

When is a bicycle not a bicycle? When it turns into a driveway.

Come join me this Sunday for a ride to celebrate Father’s Day. It’s looking like we will have great weather for a tour to Kitchener’s Woodfire Cafe on Lancaster St. Both the long and short groups will stick together until after the cafe stop and will split up on the return ride to Guelph where we will all finish up at Fixed Gear Brewery.

Bring money for a coffee stop (and beer!) and tail lights are a good idea.

Oh, one more question. If I ride my bike twice in one day, is that recycling?

There is a new route map due to a road closure in Bloomingdale. Load the route on your bike computer if you have one, here’s how.

Speed will be between 29-31 kph average

GCC members only. To become a member join HERE

Advance sign-up required. Reserve your spot by clicking HERE

Start Time: please be ready to pedal at 8:00 AM

Start Location: East End Library at Starwood and Watson

Check here for weather cancellation posted no less than one hour before the ride begins

Route: The Tour Medium Distance Ride will be following the map below

Route: The Grand Tour Longer Distance Ride will be following the map below

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CANCELLED: Sunday Road Tours | June 11 8:00AM

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UPDATE 7:15 AM CANCELLED: This is a tough one because the forecast says a 30 per cent chance of rain but the radar looks ominous. However, I always think it’s better to be cautious when it comes to club rides so I’m cancelling. Those that are still interested in a ride are welcome to go on their own.

I have yet to wear my fancy new red GCC ride leader jersey, so I’m stoked for this ride.

I’m also keen to try my Sunday route building approach, which is to have everyone complete the “Tour Medium” section of the route, then have those interested in adding some more kilometres continue on. I will (likely) be doing the shorter version of the route.

The route will take us North through Oustic, then onto the “three sisters” climbs of Sideroad 22 before making the turn into Erin and a stop at Holtem’s Bakery, purveyors of treats both sweet and savoury. We’ll cruise home along Wellington County Road 50 before tackling the climb out of Eden Mills back into Arkell.

For those interested in doing more, the extended remix adds another 37km or so down to Campbellville Road and back. I will assign a Road Captain to provide guidance for this group but it’s likely a good idea to load the route on your bike computer if you have one, here’s how.

See you on Sunday: I’ll be the guy with the white beard, red shirt and jolly disposition… hey, wait a second…

Speed will be between 29-31 kph average

GCC members only. To become a member join HERE

Advance sign-up required. Reserve your spot by clicking HERE

Start Time: please be ready to pedal at 8:00 AM

Start Location: East End Library at Starwood and Watson

Check here for weather cancellation posted no less than one hour before the ride begins

Route: The Tour Medium Distance Ride will be following the map below

Route: The Grand Tour Longer Distance Ride will be following the map below

Sunday Road Tours | May 28 8:00AM

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The Weather Man says it’s going to be 15c at 8am on Sunday, and rising to the mid 20s as the day goes on; we will get an early start to free up the afternoon. The routes will be a bit shorter this week, but there will be lots of climbing on the escarpment for the Grand Tour, and the shortened Tour will have have to conquer 6th Line. We will regroup after the hills. The coffee stop will be at the Trail Eatery in Campbellville, so bring money for that. The groups will have parted ways by then. Blinky lights are always a good idea.

Load the route on your bike computer if you have one, here’s how.

Speed will be between 29-31 kph average

GCC members only. To become a member join HERE

Advance sign-up required. Reserve your spot by clicking HERE

Start Time: please be ready to pedal at 8:00 AM

Start Location: East End Library at Starwood and Watson

Check here for weather cancellation posted no less than one hour before the ride begins

Route: The Tour Medium Distance Ride will be following the map below

Route: The Grand Tour Longer Distance Ride will be following the map below

Sunday Road Tours | May 14, 9:00AM

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Dear mom,

Roses are red, violets are blue, I’m going for a ride, to celebrate you.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Sunday is shaping up to be a lovely day with low wind, a mix of sun and cloud and no precipitation. Seems like a perfect morning for a ride. Join us for a jaunt to Kitchener’s Woodfire Cafe, via Fergus, Elora and the covered bridge, before returning to Guelph and finishing up at Fixed Gear, where you can choose to raise a glass of craft brew to toast your mom!

Bring money for the coffee stop, and beer stop 😉 and tail lights are a good idea.

Load the route on your bike computer if you have one, here’s how.

Speed will be between 29-31 kph average

GCC members only. To become a member join HERE

Advance sign-up required. Reserve your spot by clicking HERE

Start Time: please be ready to pedal at 9:00 AM

Start Location: East End Library at Starwood and Watson

Check here for weather cancellation posted no less than one hour before the ride begins

Route: The Tour Medium Distance Ride will be following the map below

Route: The Grand Tour Longer Distance Ride will be following the map below

CANCELLED: Sunday Road Tours | May 7 10:00 AM

UPDATE 9 AM CANCELLED: I see that a bunch of riders have already made the prudent decision and removed their names from the signup list (which was very helpful in making a decision, thank you.) Based on that, the radar map and the hell that was P2A still fresh in my mind, I’m canceling the ride. See you next time.

UPDATE 8AM: I’m having a look at the radar and I can’t say I like what I see. I know the gravel grinders have pushed on but not sure that’s the right call for us roadies. Even if I cancel it, there’s nothing preventing a group of courageous souls from gathering at the library and doing their own thing: it just won’t be a club ride. Final decision posted at 9 a.m.

There’s a new format for these rides this year, one that formalizes the approach we occasionally adopted last year of combining the medium and long rides for as much of the route as possible. It makes building routes a bit more challenging but I really like building routes and riding in bigger groups on Sunday so I’m all for it.

My approach this week is to have everyone complete the “medium” section of the route, then have those interested in adding some more kilometres continue on. I will be doing the shorter version of the route because I’ve been feeling under the weather most of the week after riding for three-plus hours in the mud and rain at P2A last Sunday (the post-ride beers likely didn’t help either.)

The route will take us North through Oustic, then down 7th Line into Everton before stopping in Rockwood at the Whistle Stop for a refuel because the two other cafes in Rockwood aren’t open on Sunday morning. Then we’ll whip down to Moffat past Dar’s Delights (R.I.P. good doughnuts) then into Arkell via Watson Road.

For those interested in doing more, the extended remix adds another 50km or so down to Campbellville and back. I will assign a Road Captain to provide guidance for this group but let’s be honest, if you can do 125km in May, you probably don’t need to be told what to do. You should load the route on your bike computer if you have one, here’s how.

These rides are posted at 29 to 31 km/h and are No Drop so we’ll stay together and regroup if things break apart on climbs. We’ll go at a pace the whole group can reasonably sustain, remembering that’s OK to let the stronger riders do more work. I’ve built an entire cycling hobby on the benefits of this principle.

Alright, see you Sunday. Note the 10 a.m. start time. The weather doesn’t look too bad for a change… better than last Sunday, anyway, though that’s an extremely low bar as my immune system will try and tell you.

Speed will be between 29-31 kph average

GCC members only. To become a member join HERE

Advance sign-up required. Reserve your spot by clicking HERE

Start Time: please be ready to pedal at 10:00 AM

Start Location: East End Library at Starwood and Watson

Check here for weather cancellation posted no less than one hour before the ride begins

Route: The Tour Medium Distance Ride will be following the map below

Route: The Grand Tour Longer Distance Ride will be following the map below

CANCELLED: Sunday Road Tours | April 30th 11:00AM

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SURPRISE! RIDES CANCELLED. Nobody even signed up. Hope everyone is having “fun” at P2A.

The weather sucked last weekend and this weekend looks even worse, if you can believe it. Regardless, we are posting this in the unlikely event that Environment Canada totally gets it wrong.

A wise poet once wrote that April is the cruelest month and 2023 is proving him right…

The routes are a little shorter this week, as befits an early season ride, but still fun with a little bit of variety. There’s an opportunity to stop for a quick break in Kilbride if necessary but both the Tour and Grand Tour groups should be able to roll right through. At this point, the weather isn’t projected to be great, with temperatures in the low single-digits and an uncertain forecast so check back here for a ride update, which I will post no later than 9am on Sunday morning.

*Note that the Grand Tour route finishes up at the West End Y*

Load the route on your bike computer if you have one, here’s how.

Speed will be between 29-31 kph average

GCC members only. To become a member join HERE

Advance sign-up required. Reserve your spot by clicking HERE

Start Time: please be ready to pedal at 11:00 AM

Start Location: East End Library at Starwood and Watson

Check here for weather cancellation posted no less than one hour before the ride begins

Routes

Grand Tour

Tour